Strategic Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay: Comparing Extracellular Matrix and Growth Factor Reduced Extracellular Matrix

Strategic Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay: Comparing Extracellular Matrix and Growth Factor Reduced Extracellular Matrix

Malignant tumors require a blood supply in order to survive and spread. These tumors obtain their needed blood from the patient's blood stream by hijacking the process of angiogenesis, in which new blood vessels are formed from existing blood vessels. The CXCR2 (chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2) receptor is a transmembrane G-protein-linked molecule found in many cells that is closely associat...

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer stimulates tumor angiogenesis by elevating vascular endothelial cell growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases that play pivotal roles in promoting tumor disease progression, including tumor angiogenesis. In many solid tumors, MMP expression could be attributed to tumor stromal cells and is partially regulated by tumor-stroma interactions via tumor cell-associated extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN). The role of EMMPRIN during tumo...

Lymphatic endothelial cells, lymphangiogenesis, and extracellular matrix.

Exciting studies involving the molecular regulation of lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic-associated disorders (e.g., wound healing, lymphedema and tumor metastasis) have focused renewed attention on the intrinsic relationship between lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment. ECM molecules and remodeling events play a key role in regulating lymphangiogenesi...

Editorial: Brain Extracellular Space: Geometry, Matrix and Physiological Importance

Cell Migration through Extracellular Matrix

Every so often, a paper comes along that brings clarity to an issue. Clarity is not necessarily a final resolution, but rather a conceptual framework for productively addressing that issue. Such a paper could be based on a breakthrough discovery, an intriguing observation, a flash of intuition , or a systematic analysis. An excellent example of the latter is in this issue of The Journal of Cell...